Paris, France – I’ve been living in France for 20 years now. And for every one of those 20 years I have been to the start, not to mention the finish, of Paris-Roubaix. “Is it really that much different than other bike races?” people often ask. “Absolutely!” I always say, before following with my now-patented explanation. “Paris-Roubaix has all of the drama, all of the excitement of the three-week Tour de France in one single day!”

These words come automatically, but they are said with no lack of sincerity. Paris-Roubaix is just so much more than a typical bike race. Perhaps my passion for the “Hell of the North,” goes back to the first time I covered it. Frenchman Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle was the defending champion at the start in 1993. He suffered a mechanical, however, and was minutes behind the pack in the earliest sections of the cobbles. But after chasing for dozens of kilometers, he finally regained contact with the main group and then, after breaking away late in the race, beat Italy’s Franco Ballerini by just millimeters on the velodrome in Roubaix. “Wow!” I marveled, understanding that I had witnessed something special. And every year I return, I leave with the same feeling.

And so this Sunday I will once again venture up to the start city of Compiegne, just north of Paris, and set off once more on what is for me the world’s greatest single-day bike race. The names have changed, but the story remains the same.

Every year, the race organizers modify the order of cobblestones covered ever so slightly. But as with the Tour de France, which changes its route year in and year out, such variants rarely alter the final outcome. And like the Tour, there are certain cobblestone sections that constitute the rites of passage for any cyclist ambitious enough to dream of winning this grueling race.

There is, of course, the annual ride through the Arenberg Forest, a harrowing 2.4-kilometer line of some of the world’s most ghastly cobblestones. But since it comes nearly 100 kilometers before the finish, it is much like the first week in the Tour de France. Riders do not win the race here, but they sure can lose it.

And if the Arenberg Forest reflects the opening week of the Tour de France, other daunting sections like Mons-en-Pevele or the Carrefour de l’Arbre are nothing less than the Pyrenees and Alps, while the finish on the velodrome in Roubaix serves as the race’s Champs-Elysees.

This year’s race will start without Belgium’s Tom Boonen, who equaled Roger De Vlaeminck’s record of four victories last year. But while the history of Roubaix is written with its winners, like the Tour, it is also larger than them. And while Boonen cannot defend his title after injuries suffered last week in the Tour of Flanders, his longtime rival Fabian Cancellara is back on the rise.

Between them, the two are rewriting Classics history. They have won six of the past eight Roubaix races. After destroying the field in the Tour of Flanders this past Sunday, Cancellara is the overwhelming favorite to add a third Roubaix to his palmares, or list of triumphs, as the French say.

Spartacus will have many challengers, of course, but compared to the Swiss giant, all start the race as outsiders at best. Still, here are the top riders to watch as they battle over the 27 cobblestone sections in the 254 kilometers that lie between Compiegne and Roubaix.

Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland/RadioShack-Leopard)
The rider to beat, after destroying his competition in the Tour of Flanders. He starts the race as the most feared racer, but everybody will ride to make him lose. Two years ago, a similar scenario proved his unraveling as he could only sit in the pack and watch the race ride up the road. But this year his RadioShack team is considerably stronger and he will be able to count on tough riders like Gregory Rast and two-time Flanders winner Stijn Devolder to keep the race together for him.

Sebastian Turgot (France/Europcar)
Runner-up in 2012, the Frenchman has suddenly morphed into one of the most consistent Classics riders, with numerous top-10 placings so far this year. Paris-Roubaix is his top priority; expect him to be in the hunt for a podium place once again.

Thor Hushovd (Norway/BMC)
The discreet Norwegian makes Paris-Roubaix the focus of every spring campaign and he still dreams of winning it one year. After a disastrous 2012 season, Hushovd finally got back on the winning track by claiming the first stage in the Tour of Haut Var in February. But he has made virtually no impact on the Classics so far this season. That said, those that know Thor, know that he is never more dangerous than when he is considered an outsider.

Andre Greipel (Germany/Lotto-Belisol)
The sprinter surprised many by going on the attack in the Tour of Flanders this past week. Although the move had little chance of staying away, it demonstrated that the German perhaps entertains thoughts of winning more than field sprints. The cobbles of Roubaix will suit his statuesque build better than the climbs in Flanders.

Sylvain Chavanel (France/Omega Pharma–Quick-Step)
A perennial contender, “Chava” will be at his best in Roubaix, but will that be enough? He clearly comes up short in a mano-a-mano with a rider like Cancellara, but with Classics king Tom Boonen absent from the Omega Pharma roster, Chavanel will be watched more closely by the other favorites.

Johan Vansummeren (Belgium/Garmin-Sharp)
Winner here in 2011, the leader of the Garmin-Sharp team promises to be at his peak for Roubaix. He has ridden consistently at the front in all of the Classics this year. Don’t count him out.

Jurgen Roelandts (Belgium/Lotto-Belisol)
After an impressive third-place showing in Flanders this past week, Roelandts suddenly has become a contender for Roubaix. But will favorites like Cancellara again let him make a preemptive strike and get in an early breakaway like they did last week?

Juan-Antonio Flecha (Spain/Vacansoleil-DCM)
A consistent top finisher in the Classics, Flecha fell in love with Roubaix when he was teammates with Fabian Cancellara early in his career. But his lack of speed is a prime handicap when the race enters the velodrome. Somehow he must find a way to break free earlier.

John Degenkolb (Germany/Argos-Shimano)
The up-and-coming sprinter surprised many with a strong top-ten showing in the Tour of Flanders this past week. Like countryman Andre Greipel, he will have an easier time on the cobbles than the climbs of Flanders.

Heinrich Haussler (Australia/IAM Cycling)
The IAM rider has raced consistently well in the Classics this season, but he’s yet to make a podium appearance in 2013. But after finishing sixth in Flanders, he understands that he could do even better in Roubaix.

Stijn Devolder (Belgium/RadioShack-Leopard)
After twice winning the Tour of Flanders, Devolder dreams of winning Roubaix. Now on the same team as the overwhelming favorite, Fabian Cancellara, he could have a unique opportunity. But it all depends on Spartacus. If the Swiss is strong and well-positioned, Devolder will sacrifice his own chances. But if Cancellara is cornered, as in 2011, expect RadioShack to send Devolder up the road in his place.